Process for the production of nitrogen comounds from metal carbids.



' V. 'THRANE. PROCESSFOR THE PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN COMPOUNDS FROM METAL CARBIDS- APPLICATION msv'uov. 10. 1916.

1,273,690. I Patented July 23, 1918.

Atfcnrny UNITED" STATES PA onnron.

VICTOR THRANE, OF CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY.

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN COMPOUNDS FROM METAL CARBIDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1918.

Application filed November 10, 1916. Serial No. 130,632.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR THRANE, citizen of Norway, residing at Christiania,

Norway, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes for the Production of Nitrogen Compounds From Metal Calbids, of which the following is a specification.

In the production of compounds by the chemical reaction of nitrogen upon metal carbids, the carbid mass preheated to the required temperature is moved or transported within a furnace in a direction opposite in the incoming current of nitrogen, and by regulation of the temperature and ve loeity of the current of nitrogen gas, the speed of the reaction may be controlled.

This process canbe so carried out, because the reaction is highly exothermic, and when the furnace or mass is once heated, the con-,

trol is comparatively easily effected. But the tendency of the reaction mass to form lumps has caused the inconvenience that the nitrogen compound produced sticks very strongly to the furnace bottom, or con veyer, so that it must be broken loose from the same with a considerable expenditure of power, by means of complicated mechanisms.

This inconvenience is avoided in accordance with the present invention, by placing the carbid upon a layer of an inert sub- .stance, (instead of placing the same di- .rectly on the furnace bottom) so that the nitrogen compound is produced upon this layer and may therefore be easily removed together with more or less of the said layer.

'The layer of inert material may consist of previously produced nitrogen compound, and it is best. used in the form of lumps or powder.. The layer may also consist of paper, paste-board or the like, which chars during the initial operation.

A furnace'for carrying out the process is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section, and

. Fig. 2 a plan view.

The furnace 1- is preferably provided with an annular furnace space in the lower 'part of which is movably arranged a J ring-shaped plate-table .-3-, which may travel upon rolls 4- and may be driven by gearing -5, 6 from some source of power -'2'--, for instance through gear wheels and shafts as indicated in Fig. 1. i e

In the vault of the furnace space are located directly side by side two hoppers -8 and .9-, each preferably provided with a pair of feeding rolls 10 and -11 respectively, which may be driven from the same source of power --7-. The inert material is filled into the hopper 8- and is fed by the rolls-10* down upon the table -3-, that is assumed to move in the direction of the arrow 12-- in Fig. 2-.

The carbid is filled, (preheated, if desired,) into the hopper 9-. and is therefore by the rolls -1lfed down upon the layer of inert material, which is already lying upon the table -3-- and which may conslst for instance of ready-producedcyanamid.

In a direction opposite to the arrow -12 a nitrogen current is. conducted, which is introduced at the opening +13- and passes through the furnace space in counter-current to the forward traveling. cal-bid.

If it is found desirable a permanent layer -14- of heat insulating material may be placed upon the upper surface of the table 3, and upon this material the inert substance -15- is fed 16 in Fig. -1-- designates the carbid mass.

\Vhen the produced nitrogen compound during its passage through the ring furnace arrives at the opening 13--, it meets a stationary or mechanically operated knife -l7--, which projects a little under the produced cakeand loosens the latter from the under-lying loose inert material, so that the cake may easily be conducted and carriedout from the furnace. In the opening at 13 above or behind the knife advancing rolls or the like suitable for this-purpose may be arranged.

In the described furnace construction all movable. parts are protected against the strong heat, especially if a heat insulating material is placed upon the table. Also the inert substance per semay act as a. mo teeting material.

I claim:

1. A process of producing nitrogen compounds which comprises moving a mass of carbid while supported upon an inertmate' its path, to a temperature sufficient to initiate a chemical reaction between the said carbicl and the said nitrogen, whereby the reaction being exothermic, it propagates itself through the mass.

2. A process of producing nitrogen compounds which comprises feeding a layer of inert material onto a moving conveyor, feeding a mass of metal carbid onto said layer of inert material, subjecting such moving mass to a counter current of nitrogen, and subjecting such mass, at some part of its path, to a temperature suf'lic-ient to initiatea chemical reaction between the said carbid and the said nitrogen, whereby the 15 Sonics of thtapstent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatentaj Wilmington, 30.0. 

